If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth ?
- 1.GPS and navigation systems could fail.
- 2.Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
- 3.Power grids could be damaged.
- 4.Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
- 5.Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
- 6.Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
- 7.Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
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Answer: C. A major solar storm can disturb the ionosphere and magnetic field. This can disrupt GPS (1), damage power grids through induced currents (3), cause auroras far from the poles (4), increase drag and disturb satellite orbits (6), and black out shortwave radio on polar flights (7). It does not cause tsunamis (2) or forest fires (5). So 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7.
Watch for: Students think of a solar storm as a heat wave; its effects are electromagnetic, not physical heat or waves on the ocean.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because solar storms do not cause tsunamis or forest fires.
- B. Wrong because tsunamis and forest fires are not effects of solar storms.
- D. Wrong because tsunamis and forest fires are not effects of solar storms.
Source to check: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (swpc.noaa.gov) space weather scales; ISRO notes on space weather
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.